Automobile-signal.



Patented (III. 24, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

J'. FERNANDEZ.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 4. 19|4.

fimgfigfin Patented 2. 1916.

2 $HEETS-SHEET 2.

w 21 Lance/who e JOSE FERNANDEZ, 0F HOUSTON, TEXAS.

AUTOMOBILE-SIGNAL.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

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Application filed March 4:, 1914:. Serial No. 822,462.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josli FEnNANnnz,-a citizen of the United States,residing at Houston, in the county of Harris and State of Texas, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Automobile-Signals, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The invention provides novel signaling means for motor vehicles to giveample warning so" as to avoid collisions or accidents,-said signalingmeans being of such constructionas to be readily applied to m0- torvehicles of any design whether intended for passenger service or forhauling loads.

The invention provides an appliance embodying oppositely disposed signaldevices and means for projecting either one or both of such signaldevices into a position to give warning of the intention of the operatorof the vehicle whether about to'stop', to slacken speed or to make aturn to the right or to the left so that the driver of a vehicle in therear may be advised of the intention of the driver of the vehicle aheadand govern himself accordingly, so as to prevent a rearend collision.

The invention consists of opposed cylinders, pistons arranged to operatetherein, signal devices at the outer ends of the piston rods, means forpositively actuating the pistons in both directions, one of such meansconsisting of a spring and the other being a motive fluid, means forgiving a partial turn to the signal, both when projected and retractedso that when the signal is extended it presents a broad side for readyobservation, and when in retracted position it presents an edge so asnot to attract attention,

and a valve for controlling the supply of motive fluid to the cylinders,whereby one or both of the signals may be projected into position forobservation.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of constructionand combinaa diagrammatic view showing the cylinders in section and oneof the signals in retracted position and the other signal projected.Fig. 3 is an enlarged section of one of the cylinders and pistonsshowing the relative arrangement of the parts associated therewith. Fig.4 is a detail view showing more clearly the means for imparting aone-quarter turn to the signal when the same'is moved outward orreturned to normal position. Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the hingeand spring connection between one of the signal devices and itssupports. Figs. 6 and 7 are detailed views of the controlling valves.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription, and indicated in all the views of the drawing, by the samereference characters.

The numeral 1 designates oppositely disposed cylinders which consistessentially of end portions of a tube. A cap 2 is fitted to the outerend of each of the cylinders. A piston 3 operates in each cylinder andis provided with a hollow rod 3 which operates through an opening in thecap 2. A section 4 is adjustable in the outer end of the rod 3 and islikewise made hollow and is adapted to be secured in the adjusted position by means of suitable fastening means 4*, such as set screws. Aguide 5 is secured at its outer end to the piston rod 3 and is given aone-quarter turn 5 near its inner end to cause the piston and its rod tomake a one-quarter turn both when the piston is moved outward or drawninward, whereby the signal device 8 at the outer end of the piston rodis caused to present a broad side or an edge view. The guide 5 consistsof a light rod or wire and is arranged to operate in an opening formedin the cap 2. When the piston 3 is near the limit of its outwardmovement it has a one-quarter turn given thereto by the action of thebent or deflected portion 5 of the guide rod 5, thereby turning thesignal so as to present a broad side for observation. When the pistonstarts on its return stroke it receives a one-quarter turn to cause thesignal to present an edge view so as not to attract attention whenwithdrawn or in normal position. The piston is moved outward to ward andwhen the motive fluid is cut off and the exhaust uncovered the spring 14contracting moves the piston inward and at the same time causes the airto be expelled from the cylinder through the exhaust. The

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part .4 may be considered as a section of the piston rod and admits ofsuchpiston rod .is at the limit of its inward movement the signal 8occupies a horizontal position so as to present an edge view, but whenthe piston is at the limit of its outward movement the signal occupies avertical position, thereby presenting a broad side for readyobservation. To prevent the signal from injury when struck by an objectit is pivotally con nected to its supporting arm or extension 4: of thepiston rod as indicated at 7 and a spring 6 holds such signal in linewith its support. Should the signal 8 strike an object, it turns aboutits pivot 7 and after clearing such object it is returned to normalposition by the action of the spring 6.-

An'electric lamp 9 is carried by the signal 8 to illuminate the sameafter dark. An electric conductor 10 arranged within the hollow pistonrod 3 is connected at one end with the lamp 9 and at its opposite endwith terminals 10. An electric conductor 10 located exterior to thecylinder is connected with terminals 10 arranged within the cylinder andis also included in a circuit containing means for supplying electricityfor illuminating the lamp when the circuit is closed. A switch 18 islocated in the lighting circuit to admit of closing or breakingthe-same. The terminals 18 and 10 serve as a stop means for limiting theoutward movement of the piston, besides closing the circuit when theswitch 18 is thrown to effeet a lighting of the lamp when the circuit iscompleted.

The controlling valve comprises a casing 20 and a plug 21. The latter isformed with a transverse passage 22 and a lateral passage 23 suchpassages'being in communication with each other and with an axialpassage 24. Other passages 25 are formed in the sides of the plug 21 andserve to carry off the exhaust from the cylinder when bleeding the same.A tube 26 connects the axial passage 24 of the plug with a reservoir 27which contains the motive fluid such as compressed air. A pointer 28 isconnected to or formed with the plug 21 and serves both as a handle forturning such plug and as means for indicating its relative position. Aplate 29 is connected with the casing 20 and is provided with marksindicating predetermined positions of the valve so that it may be knownwhen the motive fluid is supplied either to the right or to the lefthand cylinder or to both or when such motive fluid is cut off to admitof both signal'devices occupying a normal position. A block 15 islocated at the inner ends of the cylinders or midway of the tubecomprising such cylinders. Passages are formed in the block 15 leadinginto the respective cylinders. Pipes 30 and 31 connect the respectivepassages of the block 15 with the valve casing20. When the plug 21 isturned to the right the passage 23 is brought in register with the pipe31 whereby motive fluid is admitted into the right hand cylinder whichresults in projecting the right hand signal into position forobservation. Upon turning the plug 21 to the left the passage 23 iscaused to register with the pipe 30 thereby admitting motive fluid intothe left hand cylinder with the result that the signal upon the lefthand side of the vehicle is projected into position to be readily seen.\Vhen the plug 21 is turned to a central position that is with thepointer 28 facing straight ahead, motive medium is admitted into bothcylinders thereby projecting both the right and the left signal devicesso that the driver of the vehicle in the rear may exercise caution,thereby preventing a rearend collision. When both signals are projectedit indicates that the driver of the vehicle is either about to stop orto slow up. lVhen the right hand signal is displayed it indicates thatthe driver is about to turn to the right and when the left hand signalis projected it indicates that the driver is about to turn to the left.When the plug 21 is turned either to the right or to the left to anintermediate position between the two extreme positions the passages 25are brought in register with the pipes 30 and 31, thereby admitting ofthe cylinders meeting or exhausting so that the signals may be, returnedto normal position by the action of the springs 14. The device may beattached to the motor vehicle in any manner and as shown a base plate 17is connected with the tube comprising the cylinders, such base platebeing bolted or otherwise attached to the vehicle in a position to admitof the cylinders occupying a transverse position.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing. the advantages of the construction andof themethod of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the artto which the invention appertains, and while I have described theprinciple of operation of the invention, together with the device whichI now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have itunderstood that "the device shown is merely illustrative, and

that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope ofthe invention as claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 2-- 1. Asignal for motor vehicles, the same comprising opposed cylinders,pistons arranged to operate within such cylinders. sig- N incense naldevices connected with such pistons to move therewith, means forsupplying motive fluid to the cylinders for projecting the pistons, aspring for retracting such pistons and a valve for controlling thesupply of motive fluid to one or the other or simultaneously to both ofsuch cylinders.

2. A signal for motor vehicles, the same comprising opposed cylinders,pistons arranged to operate therein, signal devices connected with therespective pistons, a block common to both cylinders and having passagesin communication therewith, a spring for retracting each of the pistons,pipes connected with the respective passages of the said block, meansfor supplying motive fluid to the pipes and a valve in the length of thepipes to admit of supplying the motive fluid to either one or both ofthe cylinders. I

3. A motor vehicle signal comprising opposed cylinders, a block commonto both cylinders and having passages in communication therewith,pistons arranged to operate in the cylinders and provided with signaldevices which are connected therewith, contractile helical springsarranged within the cylinders and connecting the pistons with the. saidblock, pipes connected with the passages of the block, means forsupplying mo tive fluid to the pipes, and a controlling valve in thelength of the pipes for admitting the motive fluid to one or the otheror to both of the cylinders.

4:. A signal for motor vehicles, the same comprising horizontallydisposed opposed integral cylinders, pistons arranged to opcrate thereinand longitudinal of the cylinders, signal devices connected with therespective pistons, a block common to both cylinders and having passagesin communication therewith, a spring for retracting each of the pistonshaving connection with the said block and pistons, pipes connected withthe respective passages of the said block, means for supplying motivefluid to the pipes and a valve in the length of the pipesv to admit ofsupplying the motive fluid to either or both of the cylinders.

In testimony whereof ll afliX-my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSE FERNANDEZ. Witnesses:

Y. GARY, Annnnro EADs.

